Literacy fests will help group raise new funds

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 31, 2007

COUNTYWIDE

The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties is sponsoring a series of literacy festivals from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday to raise awareness of the non-profit agency's services and to raise money. The event is geared toward children ages 5 and younger, though older siblings may also attend. It will include face painting, goody bags, books and door prizes. Admission is free, and children are welcome to dress in costumes. The locations are Childhood Development Services offices, 37733 Meridian Ave., Dade City and 6740 Commerce Ave., Port Richey; and Sylvan Learning Center, 11136 Libby Road in Spring Hill. For information, call (866) 797-9444 or (352) 754-5068 or toll-free 1-800-443-1024.

Builders schedule Truck Night gala

The Pasco Building Association will hold its first Truck Night at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14. at the Spartan Manor at 6121 Massachusetts Ave. in New Port Richey. Tickets are $100 each, which includes two dinners and a raffle ticket for a 2007 Toyota Tundra Truck or $20,000 in cash. For information call (727) 375-8922.

Celebrate Marines' birthday at ball

The public and members are invited by the Marine Corps League Detachment 708 to celebrate the 232nd birthday of the Marines at a formal birthday ball Nov. 9 in the Performing Arts Center at Heritage Pines Country Club of Hudson. The Vic Thompkins Band will perform and the speaker will be Maj. Scott Brinton of Centcom at MacDill AFB in Tampa. Ticket donation: $35 per person. For reservations, call Sal Barone (352) 688-9854 or (352) 573-0815.

LAND O'LAKES

Deer-car collision fatal for animal

For all the building going on in central Pasco, occasionally there are reminders that the area is still largely rural. At 11:40 p.m. Thursday, Pasco sheriff's Sgt. Jeffrey Peake drove his agency-issued 2007 Chevrolet Impala west on State Road 54 between Livingston Road and Park Crescent Drive. Suddenly, a young buck deer, about 120 pounds, ran from the woods in front of the car. The deer survived, but its rear legs were broken. The sergeant ended its suffering with one shot from a .45-caliber Kimber pistol, a report said. The sergeant notified the county road and bridge department to remove the carcass from the median.

[Last modified October 30, 2007, 21:45:59]